Basket machine



E. CRAIG BASKET MACHINE Original Filed May 25' 1921 11 Sheets-Sh'et 1 l x 1 l Il Aug. 3,1926. l 1,594,929 E. CRAIG BASKET MACHINE Original Filed May 25, 1921 l1 Sheets-Sheet, 2

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E. CRAIG BASKET MACHINE l1 sheets-smet 's original'mled May 23. 1921 Aug. 3 1926. l 1,594,929

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E. RA1G BASKET MACHINE original Filed May 25. 1921 11 sheetsLsne'et s immer@ Aug. 3 1926.

E. CRAIG BASKET MACHINE Original Filed May 23, 192.1

11 SheetsLSheet 6 E. CRAIG BASKET MACHINE Original Filed May 25. 1921 1l Sheets-Shet 7 im" V I(|l @Z YZQ'Q Aug. 3 192.6. 1,594,929

E. vCRAIG I BASKET MACHINE original Filed May 23. 19.214 l; sheets-sheet s Aug. 3 1926. 1,594,929

E, CRAIG BASKET MACHINE Original Filed May 23, 1921 11 Sheets-Shak?, 9

Inventor irda/afd abg ll/m74'. Wl/T Aug. 3 1926. Y 1,594,929

E. CRAIG I BASKET MACHINE original Filed May 25' 1921 1l Sheets-#Sheet l0 'zo 2%/ l 79,

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E. CRAIG v BASKET MACHINE Uriginal Filed May 23, 41921 11 Sheetshe-et ll Patented Aug. 3, 1 926.

UNITED" STATES PATENT oFFlCE- EDWARD CRAIG, 0F SlT. JOSEPH, MICHIGAN.

BASKET MACHINE.

Application led May 23, 1921, Serial No. 471,794. Renewed November 78, 1925.

This invention `relates to machines for making receptacles, more particularly to those known as basket machines, and especially those which make What are called bushel baskets, or baskets'having the shape of an ordinary bushel basket, by the stapling together of strips or sections of Wood veneer or other materials.

Generally stated, the object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved construction Whereby receptacles of any suitable or desired character, but more especially those which are to be used as baskets, either bushel or half bushel, or of similar character, may be produced in a rapid`and satisfactory manner, and in a Way that Will tend to reduce the cost of production of said baskets or other receptacles, as Well as to insure a satisfactory and comparatively high grade article, such as baskets or other receptacles, from stock or materials of any suitable or. ydesired character.

It is also an object to provide certain details and features of construction and combinations tending to increase the general efficiency and the desirability of a basket4 machine, or machine for making other re ceptacles of this particular charaeter.,.

To these-and other useful ends, the invention consists in matters-hereinafter set forth and claimed and shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation ofthe basket machine, embodying the principles lof the invention. 2

f other side of said machine.

Figure 3 is a plan4 of the machine shown in Figure l. i

Figure 4 is a plan of the so-called web from which the baskets are made. ,Figure is a perspective of one of said baskets.

Figure 6A is an enlarged detail sectional view- (the section being taken on longitudi nal fand vertical plane) of a. portion of thel portion of tli^e,rnachine, shown sectional plan view of a Figure 10 is an enlarged section on line 10-10 in Figure 1. v

Figure 11 is an enlarged detail section on line 11-11 in Figure 1.

Figures 12 and 1 3 show perspectives of certain of the parts.

Figure 14 is-an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the mold and the form by which the baskets or other receptacles are made, showing. the mold and the form together, .with the basket between them, in position to have the hoops of the baskets stapled in place.

Figure 15 is a vertical section on line 15-15 in- Figure 14.

Figure 16 is a perspective of one of the parts.

Figure view of a certain portion of the mechanism of said machine.

Figure 18 is airenlarged fragmentary and portion of the mechanism of said machine.

`17 is an enlarged detail sectional Figure' 19 is a vertical section on line` 19-119 in Figure 18.

'Figure 20-is a vertical section on line 20-20 vin Fi ure 18.

Figure 2 is a vertical section on line l preferably hollow, and of suflicient height to support a longitudinal shaft 2 in a suitthe full length of the'base andv is provided at' one end With a driving pulley 3 which is loosely mounted on the shaft. The drivepulley is provided on each side of its hub with-teethr, Whichare adapted to be engaged by the splines 5 and 9 of the clutch members 4r and 8 respectively. (See Figure 17).- f

.Clutch member 8 is formed on one end of a sleeve 6a, which has on its other end 4a pinion 7, and the spline or key 9 of the clutch member is mounted slidably therein and is adapted for engagement with oneJ of the notches 6 on the adjacent side of the'drive# pulley when it is desired to rotate the sleeve 6a and its pinion 7. f

'ably elevated position. This shaft extends 7 `Spline or key 5 is also'slidably mounted A rock-shaft 10 suppor its clutch member 4 and lis adapted to engage one of the notches or teeth 6 on its side of the drive-pulley when it is desired to rotate shaft 2.

1Said clutch members 4 and 8 are preferably controlled throu h the medium of a in suitable bearings mounted on the base, and which extends longitudinally tb full length of the base and in parallel relation to shaft 2.

This rock-shaft 10 is provided with a crank-arm 37 to which is pivoted the lower end of a link 36, to the upper end 11 of which is secured a spring -12 which constantly exerts an upward pull on the link 36 with'a tendency to rock the shaft 10 in the direction ofthe arrow shown in Figure 21. Also on the rock-shaft 10 is secured a ratchetwheel 13 which has two teeth 14 and 15.

The tooth 15 is normally engaged by the end f portion 16 of a hand lever 17 and.this locks the shaft 10 in its normal position against Ythe tension of the spring 12. Hand lever 17 is pivoted at 18 to swing about a horizontally. and longitudinally disposed axis, and has rconnected thereto, adjacent its upper end, a spring 19 to hold its lower end in engagement with the` ratchet-wheel 13 or with either tooth 14 and 15. Pinion 7 operates an idler 24, and the latter in turn operates aA gear-wheel 25 on the`shaft 26, (see Fig. V18) and this shaft is supported in bearings '27 mounted on the main frame, and is provided with a worm 28 which engages a worm-wheel 29 mounted to rotate about a vertical axis. The worm- `wheel 29 isE rovided with cams 30 and 35 p which are a apted to alternately engage a roller 31 on one end of an arm 32 ivoted intermediate its length'on a horizonta transverse pivot 33 mounted in the upper end of a bracket-arm 34 .fixed to the main frame.

Said cams 30 and 35`aremounted diametrically opposite on the upper face of the worm-wheel 29, and cam 30 'is slightly higher than cam 35 for a purpose hereafter into engagement with thete'eth 6 by a ivoted wedge member 19, (Figs. 10 and 12 and this wedge` member is operated by the rotation of .the shaft 10 through the medium:

of the link 20 shaft.

Spline or key`5 ofthe clutch 4 is operated and the ,arm 21 secured to the into' engagement with the teeth 6, on its sideof the drive-pulley, byl wedge member 38, which is similar to member 19, and this member 38 is also operated by the rotation of the shaft 10, through the medium of the link connection 39 and an arm 40 secured to the shaft 10. The operation of the above described parts 1s as follows :`-Assuming that both clutches 4 and S'are disengaged and the drive-pulley runnlng loosely, to start the working mechanlsm, hand-lever 17 is. manually operated against the tension of the spring 19 and this withdraws the end 16 of the lever from engagement with the tooth 15, thus releaslng shaft 10 which is at once turned in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 20, by the spring 12. After this opera-tion, the end 16 of the lever 17-will bev resting against the periphery of the ratchet-wheel 13 below the tooth 15 from which it has just been released. This movement of the shaft 10 opcrates the link 20 and wedge 19 to cause the key 9 to engage with they drive-pulley, thus connecting the clutch-member with the drivlng mechanism. The rotation of the pinion 7 of the clutch-member is transmitted to the worm-wheel 29, and when lit has rotated a one-half turn, cam 30 thereon engages under the roller 31, thereb tilting the lever 32, and forcing the sha 10 to rotate against the tension of the spring 12. I

The degree of. movement given to the shaft 10 through the medium of the cam 30 is suflicient to turn the ratchet-wheel 13 far enough to enable the end 16 of the lever 17 Y to engage with the tooth 14, and this movement ofJ the shaft 10 withdraws the wedge 19 from the key 9 and thus allows the key 9 todisengage from the drive-pulley; and at the same t1me, the same movement of the shaft 10 operates the link connections 39 to force the wedge 38 against the key 5 and cause it to connect with the drive-pulley and thus start the shaft 2 rotating. f

Shaft 2 has an eccentric 41 thereon, .which actuates a pawl 42 that is adapted to rotate a ratchet-wheel 43 having a cam 44 secured thereto. Cam 44 isada ted to engage a cam 45 on the hand-lever 111) with va purpose of disen aging the end 16 from the tooth 14V the tooth 14, the tension of the spring 12 at once rocks the shaft 10 again in the direction of thearrow shown in Figure 21, and far enough to again position the end 16 below the tooth 15, whichmovement withdraws clutch -4 and stops shaft 2, and again engages clutch 8Vto cause the worm-wheel to turn, then after `a wZorm-wheel, the sma er cam 35 engages lpart rotation of the 'l -under roller 3,1'and the shaft 10 is again forcibly rocked against the tension of the spring 12 only a sufficient distance to cause the tooth 15 to engage the end of the lever l 17, or to the normal position shown in Fig- `ure 20, which is the starting position with both "clutches 4 and I8 disengaged from the drive-pulley. y

It is important, of course, that the rotation of the sleeve 6a and the pinion 7 be stopped as soon as the clutch 8 is opened, and this is accomplished by means ofav friction Ibrake 46 applied to said clutch as shown in Figure 10, actuated by a lever 47 suitably connected thereto, whereby the ro tation of the worm wheel 29 is accurately terminated at exactly the right time or nioment, as soon as the clutch 4 is opened.

It will be seen that lthe vworm wheel 29 serves to rotate the vertically disposed shaft 48 upon the upper -end Aof which is secured'the crank arm 49 having the bossforrounded portion 50 at its outer end..

The two standards rfupright castings 51 l and 52 are suitablysecured upon the base 1 and spaced apart in the manner shown,l the upper ends of these standards or castlngs being provided with vguides 53, of any suitable character, for t-he longitudinally disposed endwise movable bar or member'l upon the forward end' of ,which the basketfornr (as shown, the said form is4 that ordinarily used for either a bushel basket or a;v half bushel basket) is secured in any suitable or desired'manner, but preferably by means of a spindle56 (see Figure 14) which permits' the form to rotate about a longitudinal axis during the stapling operation as willhereinafter more fully apear. p The -barl54 is provided with a transverse guide 57 which engages the boss or rounded 'portion 50, so that the latterv moves back and forth in said guide, and while the worm wheel 29, `previously mentioned, islro tatin the crank arm 49 is revolving and there y moving the basket form 55 forward, and this movement continues until the basket form arrives at the limit of its forward movement; then th rotation of. the worm explainedf wheel 29 ceases, as qpreviously and the shaft 2 begins to rotate.

lThe hollow mold into which the 'form is pushed to form the basket is rigidly connected' to a tubular shaft or sleeve 59 suitably supported in bearings 60 and 61 provided at the upper ends of the standards or castings 62 and 63 which are secured at their lower ends to the base 1 which forms the body uframe'of the machine.

Said'tubular shaft 59 is provided with a spiral gearL 64 which' engages a similar spiral gear 65 on the transverse. shaft or arbor 66, the latter being supported in suitable bearings on the bodyframe or stationary` structure f the machine.

AK ratchet wheel 67 is also mounted ontheshaft or arbor 66, to rotate the spiral gear 65, and is engaged by the dog 68 pivoted on the swinging arm 69, which latter oscillates or rocks on shaft 66 previously mentioned.

An eccentric 70 on the shaft 2 is connected by `the links71 with the end of the arm 69, so that the latter swings up and c down when the shaft 2 is rotated, thus giving the spiral gear 65 an intermittent or step by 'step rotation,' which in turn gives the spiral gear 64 a similar movement, `with the result that the mold 58 is given an intermittent or step by step rotation in the desired manner.

The rod 72 which extends through vthe tubular shaft 59 is provi-ded with ax head 73 for Vengaging the bottom ofthe basket (see Figure 14), and is providedat its other i end with a cross arm 74 which slides in the tubular guides 75 suitably supported on the body frame of the machine'.` Springs 76 in said tubular guides exert a constant pull on the cross arm 74, so that the head 73 exerts a yielding pressure, against the bottom of the basket, thereby depressing the bottom portion of the web shown in Figure 4 into the hollow 77 shown in the Ibottom of the'form 55, thereby to properly form the basket. e.

The rotation of the basket between lthe fqrmand the mold, bye the rotation of the Ashaft 2 and the intermittent action f the reciprocating member 82, the latter beingl arranged to slide up 4and down inthe guide 83 mounted on the body structure.

This vertical reciprocation ofthestaple drivers and formers v(not shown) of said' staplers, in the usual Well known manner,

.is preferably produced by the eccentric 84 on the shaftl 2 through the medium ofu the pitinan 85 thereof, whichfpitman is connected to the lower end of the vertically reciproeatingv member 82, whereby the two Staplers f are operated in unison.- The `said staplers,

of course, are. provided with feeding ,de-l l vices 86, of vany suitable character, to feed the wire from which the staples are made;

and this feed mechanism is operated in a manner` that will be readily understood, by the pitman 87, which latter is connected at its lower end to the eccentric 87() .on the shaft 2, whereby the rotation of this shaft serves to reciprocate the two Staplers toinsert the Vstaples into the hoops and` slats or strips of the web ,shown in Figure 4, after basket form 55 and the mold 58, in the manner explained.

The hoops of the basket are fed into position, lin any suitable or desired manner, by means of devices adapted for this purpose,

such as the one shown in Figure'16 of thel drawings. As thus illustrated the device for feeding the lhoops comprises a body 88 pivoted on the machine frame at 89 to tilt. freely about a horizontally and longitudinally disposed axis,'having portions 90, 91, 92 and 93 which guide the hoops into position below the Staplers, inthe manner shown in Figure 15, each device having a spring 94 secured to its hook 95 at one end and to the hook 96 on the casing of the Staplers at the other end. With this'construction, therefore, the body 88 of each device is free to tilt in order to accommodate itself to the movements of the hoops while the latter is being pulled into place by the rotation of the basket form and mold, it being understood that each hoop is inserted by hand far enough to permit its end portion Vto be anchored by the first staples, and' after that the step by step or intermittent rotation of I the basket, in the manner explained, serves to pull the hoop forward and bend it automatically around the basket, staples being inserted at intervals along each hoop "to secure it in place.

In Figure' 14, for example, the two hoops 78 and 79 are shown inserted in position be'- low the two Staplers, and thebasket web is shown bent into position to have the hoops stapled thereto. As explained, the body 88 of each device for feeding hoops can tilt freely while the hoops are being drawn intermittently through the guides and into position to be stapled to the basket.` y

,A stationary guard 97 is preferably arranged in the position shown, being of annular form, disposed in position to supplement the basketmold 58 in bending the web,

las shown in Figure 14, but the guard 97J is supported in stationary position by the rods 98, and ,does not rotate with the basket. The curvedv 'support 99 is provided im- Amediately below the guard 97, and is adapted to support the lower edge of the' web when the latter `is placed inl position against the edge of the guard 97 and it is in this way that the web is supported in. position,` to receive the forward pressure of the bas-k when the latter moves into the' ket form 5 5 mold.

The support 99 is preferably securedtol Jthe upperendsi of the rods 100. which latter are secured in Aany suitable or desired manner, as by the nuts 101 'screwed thereon, to the base or body frame 1 of the machine.

With a. view to always promptly stop ing the shaft 2, so that the Staplers will) be stopped `in their elevated positions, a band brake 102, of any suitable character, is applied to the shaft 2 at any convenient point in the length thereof. This brake is operate-d by a lever 103 to the outer end of which a link 104 is connected, and this link is connected to a short lever 105y which is fulcrumed on the shaft 10 previously mentioned. A spring 106 is connected to the lower end' of lthe lever 105, and thevtension of this spring is exerted to'operate the band brake 102 so that the latter exerts sutiicient friction tol prevent the shaft 2 from rotating after the clutch 4 is opened, thus stopping the stapling devices and the rotary mold in their normal positions.

Thus, in general, the operation of the` machine for the purpose of forming the Aweb into basket form, and of thereafter staplingI the lhoops in place, is as follows. The web is lplaced on the support 99 as previously explained. lThen the hand lever 17 is pulled outward to start tlie forward movement of the basket form 55, as previ- 9'0.,

lously explained. The form 55 moves forwardlto force the web into the mold 58, in

'the manner shown .in Figure 14. This having been'done, the rotationy of the crank shaft 48 is stopped, as previously explained; so that the. form 55 is left in position in the mold. The rotation of the shaft 2 is then started, and the Staplers are operated andthe mold 58 is rotated, as explained, so

that' the basket is slowly rotated in a step by step manner below the Staplers, and the hoops are inserted and then stapled i'n place 1n the manner explained. .As soon as the stapling operation is finished, the clutch 4i is automatically lopened, in the manner previously explained, and the clutch 8 is again closed, thus stopping the rotation'of the shaft 2 and 'at substantially the same time starting the rotation of the shaft 48, whereby the form 5K5 is pulledout of the basket and returned to normal position.

The tension of the springs 76 exerted through the rod 72, and through the head 73 against the-bottom of the ba sket,.serves to automatically push the basket a distance out of the mold 58, so that the basket is dislodged from its tight fit in the mold, thus clearing the machine for the conversion of another web into a basket. It will lbe understood,'of course, as previously indicatedpthat the entire machine is stopped as soon as the form 55 is returned to its -normal p ut are,

, The two staples are spaced the desired disbasket macliine.

tance apart, in a' circular' row on each hoop and the. feeding action of thes iral gearing by, which the basket is rotated intermittently is such that the basket is turned or moved sufficiently each timewto receive the staples, so' that the staples of each hoop are spaced apart the desired distancer around the basket,-that is to say, two staples are first driven in the hoop, and then two more, so that. all four of them are located. at equidistant oints in the circumference of the hcop., his is' continued, of course, until the other end of the hoop is lapped over and secured upon the end which was first secured Lin place. Thus a multiple head stapler is provided over' each hoop, and consequently four staples are driven simultaneously. This materially increases 'the capacity or output Yof the machine, as

the hoops are applied in about half the timeformerly consumed in performing this operation in an automatically controlledv With further reference to the prompt` stopping of the rotationof the sleeve of? and the pinion 7 it will be seen that the lever 47 can be operated infany suitable or de sired manner. Preferably, however, as a matter of further and special` improvement, this lever yis operated by a bell crank 107 pivoted on the side of the framel member 52 and controlled by a spring. 108 which tends to hold the lever in normal position. When the slide 54' moves ,backward the guide 57 strikes the upper` end of the lever 107 and causes the latter totilt about its upivot 109 and thereby depress the outer end -of the ever 47 andthus tighten the band brake 4 to stop the rotation.

As a matter of still further improvement the pivoted member 38 has a somewhat greater throw or extent ofmovement than the member 19, to shift the latch 5 a little i' farther and more promptly in closing the clutch which controls the transmission of power to the* Staplers, as this clutch carries a greater load than the other clutch, inasfmuch as it requires more power to drive the' Staplers than `to operate the other vparts of the machine; and hence, as stated, the clutch having the latch 5 must start promptly and the latch must be practically fully, shifted and more positive action for the clutch which controls the transmission of power-to the Staplers, than for the other clutch, for i the reasons explained.

The cam or device .which automatically stops the machine, such as the cam 35 previously described, is 'preferably removable so that the machine can operate either ini' termittently or "continuouslythat is 4to say, lwith this cam in place, or ,with any pro- 75 vision for automatically stopping the machine 'in the manner previously described, the machine will be automatically stopped after the completion of each basket; but, byl removing said cam or device the machine will continue in 'operation after the basket is completed, and the operator or attendant 'will quickly drop another web into place, at the proper time, andthe second basket will .be produced without stoppage of the B5 I machine between the two baskets; and thus, by rendering inoperative the means forautomatically stopping the machine, basketscan be made one after the other without any stoppage of .the machine. until after the required number has Ibeen made. Con?4 tinuous operation of the machine in this way will materially increase the capacity or output of the machine, and with a fairly skilled operator and materials ofa fairly good quality the machine can be run continuously hour after hour; but, when necessary or desirable, the automatic stopping device can be applied, and` in this way'the .V

machine can be automatically stopped 4after 100 the completion of each`basket. Ofcourse, when the automatic stopping device is not i used, then the starting and stopping of the machine can befcontrolled in any suitablel or desired manner'.

It will be seen that the staplers of the stapling mechanism (see Figure 9) are so arranged that the two staples driven each time in each hoopsare so spaced apart that the curvature of the curved row of staples 1 10 does not interfere `With the parallel insertion of the two staples thus driven simul` taneously in each hoop, each time said mechanism is operated, thereby insuring the desired or necessary insertion ofthe staples 115.

in the manner explained. In other words, each operation of thestaplin mechanism results in the driving of. a pa1r of staples in each hoop', and the members of each pair areiparallel, instead offbeing radially inserted. Ngow, if the members of each pair of staples were too far apart, or were as far apart as they might `be on a perfectly# fiat surface, difficulty would be encountered 4 in the insertion of the'two staples in the 125 curved hoop, as the Awider apart the staples are the greater the tangent of each staple and the greater the angular insertion thereof through the hoop. -So f ar as the'basketv itself is concerned, radial insertion o fthe staples would be desirable, but difliculties in the construction and operati-on of the ing of machine itself the parallel arrangement of the staple drivers and the parallel insertions of the four staples'driven each time `is preferable. Hence, as stated, the two staples of each pair driven each `time inv each hoop are such a distance apart that the curvature of the hoop does not interfere with the proper insertion of the staples parallel in the manner stated. The rotation of the basket form and mold, with the basket therein, can be of a step by step nature to insure the staples, and in fact al of the different ele= ments of the machine-are combined and correlated in a manner to insure their co-operation for the driving of the staples in the manner shown and described. The driving of two staples simultaneously in each hoop, to form a curved row of properly spaced staples, in the making o'f baskets of this kind, is diii'erent from the previous ractice, of course, which involved the drivonly one staple at a time in each hoop, and for the carrying out of this new method the dierent elements of the machine must be properly correlated and timed in their operations vwith reference -to-the driving of two staples simultaneously, in each hoop, whereby the basket is fully stapled in practically half the time previously necessary for this operation, and` is given only one-half the number of step by step movements ,or partial rotations necessary to insure the proper driving of the staples. The staples 4are driven,it will be seen, in a manner to form a circular row of-staples in each hoo so that there vis a continuous or unbro en row of staples vextending entirely around the basket on each hoop, when the basket is finished.

VWith the 'novel combination and organization shown and described, it will be seen that each and every staple is driven slantingly orobliquely through the hoop of the basket, instead of being driven straight through at `right angles to the thickness of the hoop, which latter would be true if the staples were driven radially instead of tangentially of the axis of the true circular row in which they are located. Thus all of the elements are organized and coordinated and arranged to (zo-operate with each other to insure properv insertion of the staplesf obliquely and tangentially, in

. the manner stated, whereby each basket is made .in mu h less time than was heretofore necessary with machinery of this kind involving a separate operation of the stapling mechanism for` each -and every staple driven -i-n the basket`"hoop.

As plainly shown in Fig. 9 of the drawroper spacing of the ings the double stapling" mechanism, comprising the two staplers 8O arranged side by side, is ,disposed in position to insert the two staples parallel in the manner described. It will be seen that the vertical line-between the two-Staplers is in the vertical plane of the axis of rotation of the basket forming and holding means, which axis is conincident with the axis of the shaft 59 by which the mold is rotated.

'Thus the pressure of the stapling mechanism, or the staple driving pressure, is balanced at opposite sides of the .axis of rotation of the basket, whereby the staples are driven in pairs, and the pressure of the.

insertion of one staple of eachpair in the basket is balanced at the opposite side of said axis by the pressure of insertion vof* the other member of the same pair. In other words, the two staples ofv each pair are driven parallel vin vertical planes at opposite sides of the vertical plane of the axis of rotation, and each and every pair is driven in this manner. This not only results in the insertion of each staple obliquely -through one of the hoops, tangentially of a circle the axis of which is coincident with said axis of rotation, but

also results in balancing the pressure of the stapling mechanism on the rotary form and, mold, so that each#- operation of the stapling mechanism is in the nature of a balanced pressure on the ibasket,l whereby such pressure does not tend to rotate the basket about the fixed axis of rotation thereof.l Thus, instead of driving staples radially, one at al time, in a round basket mounted to rotate about a fixed axis, which would have no tendency to rotate the basket, the staplin mechanism and other elements are so relatively arranged that two staples are driven simultaneously in each hoop in a manner to balance' the pressure .at opposite sides of the axis of rotation.

Thus, as explained, thel number of stapling operations is greatly reduced, but at the, same time veach plurality of staples is so inserted that each staple is driven obliquel'ythrough its hoop, and in such a manner ythat the driving pressure is balanced (at opposite sides of vthe axis of rotation, whereby there is no tendency to rotate the basket about its axis, notwithstanding'the tangential. insertion of the staples. As.

shown, the twostaples which -are driven simultaneously in each hoop are spaced apart a distance which is not too great for hoop, as the hoop is of considerable dialneter `while the distance between the two sta les is much less. tation 0f the basket, in a step by step manthrough the hoop is not The intermittent ro ner, is so adjusted or regulated, as shown and described, that the distance between successive pairs .of staples, or the spacing between successive pairs of staples, is substantially the same as the distance between eachpair, so that the staples are preferably spaced uniformly throughout the circumradialc to `said axis of rotation.` Thus one member of each pair is inserted on a line passing aty one ,side of the axis of rotation, while the other member o-f each pair is inserted'on a line passing at the opposite side of said axis, whereby the driving and insertion pressure of one staple tends to y counterbalance the pressure of the other member of the same pair, when the two staples are thus inserted simultaneously in the hoop. Thus constructed and operated, the machine necessarily involves the groupingL of the staple forming and driving instrumentalities in pairs,fone pair for each hoop of the basket, with the driving members of-each pair located parallel and tangential to the opposite sides of a circle the axis of which is coincident with the A axis of the basket while it is rotating. As

shown in Fig. 9, the diameter of this circle is approximately the same as the diameter of the hub shown at thefcenter of the rotary form 55, upon which the basket is held while being stapled.

`As shown, the four wire feed devices 86 are all disposed on the shaft 860, andthe latter is actuated by the ratchet. device 861 operated bythe pitman 87 previously mentioned; In this Way, the four wire feed devices are actuated simultaneously to simultaneously feefd four wires tothe f ourstaplers. As the staplers are mounted in pairs, one pair over each hoop of the basket, it follows that the distance between Athe Staplers at the hoop feeding side of the machine and their allotted wirel feed devices is greater` than the distance between the Staplers at the other side and their allote'd wire` feed devices.` Thus, the two hoop strips are caused to feed simultaneously, each below a pair of Staplers, in the directionl in, which theV basket rotates, whereas the four wires fed from the other side must necessarily feed in the opposite direction. Thus, the Y,four -Staplers must. all be adapted to receive wire from the same side of the machine.

What I claim as my invention is: l. In a basket making machine, the 'combinationv of a mold to receive the bottom of the basket, stapling mechanism above said mold, a rotary and reciprocating form to be pushed into said mold, 'means to rotate the mo-ld and formwith the basket between 4them during the operation of said stapling mechanism, and stationary means extending beyond the mold in the direction of said form, with the edge of said station,- ary' means adjacent the edge of the mold when the basket is in position, and means for feeding hoops below said mechanism and between the basket and said stationary means, so that the hoops are covered by said stationary means during the making of the basket.

2. A basket-making machine comprising stapling means, a mold, a form, and means for alternately, intermittently rotating the mold,` and reciprocatingsaid form, involving a 'shaft extending longitudinally of the machine, a\ clutch to rotate said shaft, a

sleeve on said shaft, a clutch to rotate said sleeve, a rock shaft provided with means for controlling' said clutches, a ratchet wheel on said rock shaft, a handv lever normally engaging a tooth of said ratchet' wheel, a spring'to maintain said hand lever in engagement with said ratchet wheel, a spring to rock said rock shaft in one direction when said hand lever is manually actuated, theren by to close one clutch and rotate said sleeve,

gearing operated by said sleeve, means operated by said gearing to reciprocate said form, means operated b-v said. gearing to turn said rock shaft in the opposite direction, therebyto open the one clutch and close the other, in order to 1 stop the rotation of said sleeve and start the rotation of said longitudinally extending shaft, means "op erated by said longitudinally etxending shaft to automatically actuate said hand lever, thereby to again reverse theclut'ches and automatically return the form to normal position, and means for automatically causfing the actuation of'said rock shaft, and the stopping of the machine, when said formreaches normall position.

3. In a machine formaking receptacles from suitable materials, the combination of a mold rotatable about a fixed axis, a form to force the materials into said mold, adapted Vto rotate therewith to form a basket with a circular rim curved about said axis. mechanism for performing successive operations on the materials, cooperating with said form and moldfto insert staples obliquely insaid materials, disposed vin lll .position to form a plurality of circular rows p of staples in the receptacle and operative for simultaneously inserting a plurality of parallel staples in each row, tangentially of a circle the axis of which is coincident with successively present different portions of' the materials to the' action of said mecha- .nism in such a manner that the total number of staples for the receptacle is at least four times the total number of operations of said mechanism, and operable tonniformly space the successive staples of each row on. the circular 'rim portion of the basket, wire feed means at one side of said mechanism to feed wire for all of the staples, hoop strip guide means at the other side of said mechanism, to feed hoops to receive the staples, whereby all the hoop strips are fed from one side by rotation of the basket, while all the wire is fed from the opposite side, whereby for each hoop strip feeding from one side of said mechanism there'is a plurality of wires feeding from the opposite side, means to permit axial movement of the form towardi and away from the mold, and instrumentalities whereby said form moves forward to cooperate with said mold in shaping the receptacle, remains in the forward position thereof to rotate with the mold during the operation of said mechanism, whereby to ensure .the driving of the staples in the manner st-ated, and automatically returns to normal position upon the completion of the receptacle, the machine thus constructed and operated necessarily involving the grouping of the staple forming and driving instrumentalities in pairs with the driving members thereof parallel and tangential to the opposite sides of said circle.

4. In a basket machine, the combination of abase, a rotary mold supported on said base,- a reciprocating form supported on said base, adapted to rotate with said mold about a longitudinal axis, stapling mechanism arranged to operate on the basket to form a circular vrow of staples each driven obliquely to the Work around the outside of A spaced apart that thecurvature' of the row does not interfere with the parallel insertion yof the-staples in each group, 4wire 'feed .meansatone side of said mechanism to feed wire for all of the staples, hoop strip guide means at the other sideof said mechanism, to feed hoops to receive the staples,

whereby all the hoop strips are fed in the direction of rotation of the basket, While all the Wire is fed from the opposite side, whereby for each hoop strip feeding from one side of said mechanism there is a pluy rality of wires feeding from the opposite side, a longitudinally disposed shaft in said base, means on said shaft to operate said stapling mechanism, means operated -by said `shaft for rotating said m ld, a sleeve on said shaft, means operated y saidsleeve to reciprocate said form, and instrumentalities for controlling -the rotation of said shaft and said sleeve to space the successively driven groups of staples, the machine thus constructed and operated necessarily involving the grouping of the staple forming and driving instrumentalities in pairs with the driving members thereofparallel and tangential to the opposite sides of said circle, and means on said shaft to operate Asaid Wire feed means.

5. In -a basket machine, the combination of means to present the basket materials in position tol have a circular hoop bent around and secured thereto, stapling mechanism for driving a plurality of staples at a time in said hoop, at dierent points circumferentially thereof, to form a circular` row ofv staples each driven 4obliquely through said hoop, with the staples of each plurality spaced apart a distance substantially the same as the distance between one plurality and the next, and with said mechanism disposed in position' to insert the staples tangentially' of a circle the axis of which is coincident with the axis of said hoop, there by balancing the pressure of said mechanism atop osite sides of said axis, wire t'eed means at one side of said mechanism to feed wire for all of the staples, hoop strip guide means'at the other side of said mechanism, to feed hoops toreceive the staples, whereby lall the hoop strips are fed in the direction of rotation of the basket, while all the wire is fe'd from the opposite side,

A whereby for each hoop strip feeding fromv ,one side of said mechanism vthere is a plurality of wires feeding lfrom the opposite side, and means to rotate the basket intermittently about 'said axis duringl the operation of stapling the hoopin place thereon, so that the basket moves a sullcient distance each time to receive the plurality of staples the machine thus constructed and operated necessarily involving the grouping of the staple forming and driving instrumentalities in pairs with the driving members thereof parallel andtangential tothe opposite sides of said circle. O

6. In a basket Vmachine the combination 'of vstapling mechanism disposed in` position to insert staples obliquely in the work, tangentially ofa circle concentric to the basket, reciprocating and .rotating forming means to support the vbasket while -being `stapled, cooperating with said" mechanism to form a plurality of circular rows of successively inserted pluralities of staples, wire feedmeans at one side of said mechanism to feed wire for all of the staples, hoo-p strip guidemeans at the other side of said mechanism, to feed hoops to receive the staples,

whereby all the hoop' strips are fed in the direction of rotation of the basket-,..while all the wire is fed from the opposite side,

, whereby for each hoop strip feedingfrom f driving members thereof parallel and tangential to the opposite sides of said circle.

` said stapling mechanism, ythereby to cause` to receive-the staples, whereby all the hoop A -7. In a machine for making` baskets by stapling hoops to the outside thereof, the combination of means for holding the basket lin position, stapling mechanism disposed in position for simultaneously driving a pluralit `of staples obliquely in said hoops, tanentially of a circle concentric to thepbasket,

lnstrumentalities for causing relative movement between the'basket holding means and said hoop to be bent around the basket in circular form, wire feed' means at one side of said mechanism to feed wire for all of the staples, hoop strip guide means at the yother side of said mechanism, to fee-d hoops strips are fed in the direction of rotation of the basket, while all the wire is fed from the opposite side, whereby foreach hoop strip feeding from one side of said mechanism there is a'plurality of'wires feeding fromthe opposite side, and means for actuating said mechanism during ysaid relative motion, .thereby vto form a circular row of staples c aroundv the outs-ide of said hoop,` with the members of eachplurality of staples spaced `apart a `distance to prevent the curvature of the circular hoop from interfering with the parallel insertion ofthe members of each lpluralityof staples, and said mechanism'and asket holding means being relatively disposed to balance the staple driving pressure if at opposite sides of said axis, and to cause each staple to be insertedobliquely in said hoop, the machine thus constructed and operated necessarilyinvolving the rouping of the staple forming and driving lnstrumentalities in pairs with the driving members thereof parallel and tangential to the opposite sides ofI said circle.

i 8. In a basket machine, the combination of means for feeding parallel strips to form hoops, work supporting means for bending said strips to form circular hoops in parallel planes, yso that the hoops are formed aboutan axis common thereto, mechanism disposed in position for simultaneuosly drivingl a plurality of parallel staples in each hoop, tangentially of a circle concentric'to-,said aXis,-thereby balancing the pres'- sure of said mechanism at opposite sides of saidaxis, whereby each staple is inserted obliquely in the hoop, t-he hoop feeding means being all at one side of said mechanism, wire feed means at the other side of said mechanism' toy feed wire for allv of the staples, whereby for each hoop, strip feeding from one side ofsaid mechanism there is a plurality of wires feeding from theopp'osite side, and means for causingrelative movement between said rhoops and said mechanism to form a circular row of staples on each hoop, with the successive pluralities of staples properly spaced apart to make the row, practically continuous on each hoop, and with the members of each plurality spaced near enough together to prevent the curvature of the hoops from interfering with the parallel inser-I tion of the staples of each plurality, the machine thus constructed and operated necessarily involving the grouping of the staple forming and driving instrumentalities in pairs with the driving members thereof parallel and tangential to he opposite sides of said circle.

9. In a basket making machine requiring Y intermittent rotation of thel basket during the making thereof, the combination of mechanism todrive a plurality lof staples each time the basket stops between rotations, wire feed means at one side of said mechanism to feed kwire for all of the staples, hoop strip guide means at the, other side of said mechanism to feed hoops to receive the staples, whereby all the hoop strips are fed in the direction of rotation of thebasket, while all the wire is fed fromthe opposite side, whereby for each hoop strip feeding from one side of said mechanism there is a plurality of wires feeding from the. oppo-l site side, basket holding means, a spiral gear axially alined with said means for the rotation thereof, a shaft'disposed; at right angles with said axis, a spiral pinion on said shaft to envage said spiral gear, a ratchet `wheel on said shaft a ratchet dog to engage said ratchet wheel, and means to actuate said` ratchet dog back and forth to'intermittently rotate; the basket, ally cooperating and timed to cause each said plurality of staples to be driven in the" manner stated.

10. In a machine for making baskets by stapling hoops on'the outside thereof, the' combination of stapling mechanism for simultaneously driving a plurality of staples in each hoop, devices for rotating the basket about the axis of the hoops, hoop strip guide 

